Brian Burke stands behind Ron Wilson
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager and president Brian Burke stood behind his team’s coach Ron Wilson while speaking with the Toronto
Star.
The Maple Leafs head coach has come under scrutiny, as the club has lost their past five games. The Leafs started off the season at a torrid pace, getting at least a point in their first five contests.
However, since that time the squad has gone 1-5-2 and has had plenty of trouble scoring. The media was particularly harsh after the club gave up a two-goal lead and lost to the Buffalo Sabres on 6 November.
“If you watch the game films and show me one thing Ronnie did wrong, then come back and ask me about it. The answer to your question is yes, the coach is safe,” Burke said.
Nevertheless, the pressure is growing in Toronto. Through the first five games of the season the club was first in the Northeast Division and the Eastern Conference. Now the club sits fourth in the Northeast
and 11th in the conference. In addition, the team has major scoring woes up front, ranking third last in the league in goals per game. Moreover, the squad only has three players who have scored more than three goals this season.
“Did Ron play poorly last night? No. Why don’t you guys focus on the players who played poorly last night instead of questioning the coach,” Burke stated. “We have players who aren’t performing at a proper
level on a nightly basis. That has to change.”
The Leafs have not been getting the appropriate level of production from their top line, which features Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and Kris Versteeg. The threesome has only combined for two goals over the
past five games.
The Leafs’ next game is against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday 9 November.
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